accepted ?

I would answer that question by saying yes and no. You would have to live here for a very long time to be considered a Crusian. You would most likely to be considered a continental. As far as as acceptance goes it seems to be based on respect, for both the people and their culture. It's easy to make friends.

you would eventually become an honorary crucian, with selected folks willing to treat you like family. respect for culture as bombi says, as well as your interpersonal skills and not trying to make things just like where you were before can make a difference.

for some, you will never, ever "belong" but it's that way all over.

So what is it that they consider a Very Long time, I remember reading on a page it was after you've been here for over a year.

A year is just a "visit". 🙂

We've been here 7 years. When you say accepted, my question is, by whom? We are accepted by the people we work and socialize with. And, no, 7 years is not a "very long" time.

Here's my take:

After living here for 6 months, you've passed the "coin toss" test. You had a 50% of lasting this long.
After 5 years, people start to think you might be here for a while.
After 10 years, continentals say, "Wow!" and Crucian's say, "Hmm..."

As others have said, if you are friendly and respect the local culture, you will be accepted by most, sooner or later.

In a year you can establish a workable social and work network. but it isn't enough time to understand the dynamics of how this place works on an island basis. I've been here for about 5 years and still don't consider myself a Crusian, maybe I never will. To most people I am just another white guy, Chais papa (son), Zions and Naiyanna's papo.

If you are looking for a parade down the streets of Csted saying you are now a Cruzan, that will never happen! However to most of the people you have a lot of contact with you will be fine UNLESS you are always telling everyone how things were done where you came from and why it's wrong on island. We aren't on island full time and find everyone to be warm and friendly when we are there.
On the lighter side, my wife will say she is an Arizonian, but I will tell her she is an interloper since she has been here only 57 years. I am 2nd generation AZ. Finding an AZ native is rare.

"Acceptance" depends on your personal definition and needs.

I've lived in several states and the issue never came up, -probably because of what I was doing, who I am, and my low need to "feel accepted".

If somebody wants to "accept me" based on my length of time here, that's probably not someone I care to be accepted by.

If you're friendly and not too much of an idiot, you can live anywhere for any length of time, make plenty of friends, and get along quite well.

I've lived here for two months and feel more "accepted" than I have ever felt in the states.

I moved here last September and met lots of 'continentals' and a few crucians right away and felt very accepted by all. In my current job I'm meeting lots of new people all the time. I try to treat others with respect and the normal courtesies I would like to have should I go out to other businesses. I base it all on attitude. If you treat people the way you would like to be treated plus a little nicer, then you will have no problem getting along with others. If you're an arrogant SOB or someone who thinks the world owes you a living you won't get accepted anywhere but in environments of like minded idiots. It's the old, half empty, half full outlook on life. As in any culture, there are some who will accept and some who will never accept. Just learn adjust to surroundings by paying attention and you'll do well. If you want acceptance you must first accept others for who they are.

JMHO